Gabriel Gervais was named Defensive Player of the Year for the second straight season, while Martin Nash was proclaimed Newcomer of the Year. David Fronimadis won the Unsung Hero award.
Two members of the Impact also received A-League awards, Tuesday, as Bob Lilley was named Coach of the Year while Gervais was Defender of the Year. Lilley was also A-League Coach of the Year in 1997, with the Hershey Wildcats.
Greg Sutton, who is the third goalkeeper in club history to clinch the Giuseppe Saputo Trophy after Jim Larkin (2000) and Paolo Ceccarelli (1996), led the A-League in goals-against average (0.73), minutes played (2,463), shutouts (11) and wins (15). His 11 shutouts are also a personal best.
The 26-year-old Canadian’s performances also earned him the 2003 A-League Goalkeeper of the Year award, last week, as well as a spot on the league’s first all-star team.
"Greg has made great strides, he’s come a long way compared to a year ago, and it’s exciting to see," said coach Bob Lilley. "He’s had an outstanding season, and he’s made an impact this year not only on our team, but also throughout the league. He helped us win some tight games against difficult opposition."
Gabriel Gervais was the leader of the top defence in the A-League that allowed only 21 goals in 28 games. His performance earned him a spot on the first A-League all-star team for the second consecutive year.
"He’s been a rock in the back," said Lilley. "He reads the game very well, and he brings leadership and intensity to the team in every game.
"We had an exceptional season defensively, and credit should also go to the other defenders and the rest of the team, because it was truly a collective effort."
Midfielder Martin Nash finished the season with four goals and six assists, good for fourth place among Impact leading scorers, in spite of missing six games to play with the Canadian national team. He also scored two game-winning goals and three of his assists led to winners.
"He has been a true professional from the first day he arrived," said Lilley. "His quality is obvious every time he steps on the field. He can influence a game at any moment with his passing because of his ability to see the play develop and to make the right decision at the right time."
Defender David Fronimadis, a 20-year-old Laval resident, earned a starter’s position in his second season with the Impact. He was a two-way player, committing 62 fouls, the third highest total this season in the league, and scoring his first two goals in the A-League.
"David has matured into a consistent performer who is very gifted at attacking out of the back line," said Lilley. "He continues to improve and he certainly has a bright future."
GREG SUTTON
Most Valuable Player (Giuseppe Saputo Trophy)
o The 26-year-old Canadian led A-League goalkeepers in several categories this season: goals-against average (0.73), minutes played (2,463), shutouts (11, tied with Dustin Hudock of the Charleston Battery), and wins (15, tied with Joseph Warren of the Minnesota Thunder). His 11 shutouts are also a personal best.
o His performances earned him the 2003 A-League Goalkeeper of the Year award, as well as a spot on the league’s first all-star team. He is the first Impact ‘keeper to receive those awards since Paolo Ceccarelli was crowned Goalkeeper of the Year in 1996 and was named on the second all-star team in 1997.
o Sutton is the second goalkeeper in Impact club history to win the Giuseppe Saputo Trophy, after Jim Larkin (2000) and Paolo Ceccarelli (1996).
o Striker Eduardo Sebrango won the award last year.
GABRIEL GERVAIS
Defensive Player of the Year
o The 26-year-old defender wins this award for a second straight year.
o He proved to be the leader of the top defence in the A-League that allowed only 21 goals in 28 games - eight fewer goals than in 2002.
o He was also selected on the A-League first all-star team for a second straight year, in addition to being named the league’s 2003 Defender of the Year.
MARTIN NASH
Newcomer of the Year
o After playing three seasons in Vancouver and three more in Rochester in the A-League, this veteran of the Canadian national team helped the Impact with his experience by tallying four goals and six assists for a total of 14 points.
o This 27-year-old midfielder finished fourth among Impact leading scorers although he missed six games due to national team duties, including the Gold Cup tournament.
o Born in Victoria, B.C., he scored two game-winning goals and three of his assists led to game winners.
o Midfielder Zé Roberto won the award last year.
DAVID FRONIMADIS
Unsung Hero
o After assuming a back-up role at his inaugural season with the Impact in 2002, this 20-year-old defender earned 19 starts and played a total of 27 games this year.
o This defender was truly a two-way player, committing 62 fouls, the third highest total in the league. He also scored his first two goals in the A-League, two insurance goals in a 3-0 win against Charlotte, July 2, and a 3-1 victory in Syracuse, August 9.
o For the second straight year, this trophy has been awarded to a young local player. Last year, 19-year-old Montrealer Jason DiTullio was the winner.
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SOURCE:
bcomm
INFO:
Stéphane Banfi
514-328-3668 (ext. 27)
